Prasar Bharati is India’s public broadcaster, established under the Prasar Bharati Act in 1990. It is an autonomous body that oversees the functioning of All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan, India’s national public service broadcaster. The establishment of Prasar Bharati was seen as a way to address the issues of autonomy and flexibility in the functioning of AIR and Doordarshan and improve the quality and reach of public broadcasting in India. This report will cover the history, purpose, and formation of Prasar Bharati.
What is Prasar Bharati?
Prasar Bharati is a statutory autonomous body set up under the Prasar Bharati Act, of 1990. It is India’s largest public broadcasting agency and is responsible for the management and development of Doordarshan and All India Radio. Doordarshan is the national broadcaster of India and AIR is the national radio broadcaster. Prasar Bharati is responsible for the overall direction and management of both organizations.
What are the Functions of Prasar Bharati?
Prasar Bharati has a range of functions, including:
- Providing public broadcasting services that are of high quality, informative, and relevant to the needs of their audiences.
- Maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and ethics in programming and content creation.
- Ensuring financial self-sufficiency and generating revenue through advertising and other sources.
- Encouraging the development of broadcasting and related industries in India.
- Promoting national integration and understanding among the people of India.
Prasar Bharati is governed by the Prasar Bharati Board, which is headed by a Chairman and consists of a CEO, representatives from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and other experts and professionals.
What is the purpose of Prasar Bharati?
The purpose of Prasar Bharati is to ensure that AIR and Doordarshan function as public service broadcasters and provide programming that is of high quality, informative, and relevant to the needs of their audiences. Prasar Bharati is also responsible for ensuring that both organizations are financially self-sufficient and can generate revenue through advertising and other sources.
Another key objective of Prasar Bharati is to promote national integration and understanding among the people of India. This is achieved through the creation of programming that is representative of the diversity of India’s culture, languages, and regions.
Prasar Bharati is also responsible for encouraging the development of broadcasting and related industries in India. This includes supporting the growth of private broadcasters, promoting the development of new technologies, and providing training and education to those working in the broadcasting industry.
How Prasar Bharati came into existence?
The formation of Prasar Bharati was a significant development in the history of Indian broadcasting. Prior to its establishment, AIR and Doordarshan were part of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and operated as government departments. This meant that they were subject to bureaucratic procedures and political influence, which often hindered their ability to function independently and provide high-quality programming. The establishment of Prasar Bharati was seen as a way to address these issues and improve the quality and reach of public broadcasting in India.
The process of forming Prasar Bharati began in the early 1980s when the government recognized the need for greater autonomy in the functioning of AIR and Doordarshan. The first step was the formation of the Broadcasting Council in 1982, which was tasked with advising the government on broadcasting policies and ensuring the independence of AIR and Doordarshan.
In 1985, the government established a committee headed by S. Ramanathan to study the feasibility of creating an autonomous body to oversee AIR and Doordarshan. The committee submitted its report in 1986, which recommended the creation of an independent corporation to manage both organizations.
Based on the recommendations of the Ramanathan Committee, the government introduced the Prasar Bharati Bill in Parliament in 1989. The bill was passed in 1990 and became the Prasar Bharati Act, which came into effect on 15th September 1997. The Act established Prasar Bharati as a statutory autonomous body and transferred the control of AIR and Doordarshan from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to the newly formed organization.
In Short
Since its inception, Prasar Bharati has made significant strides in improving the quality and reach of public broadcasting in India. It has introduced new channels and programs that cater to the diverse interests and needs of the Indian audience. In addition, it has leveraged new technologies such as digital broadcasting and online streaming to expand its reach and accessibility.
In conclusion, Prasar Bharati plays a crucial role in the Indian broadcasting industry, promoting the values of public service broadcasting and providing high-quality programming that reflects the diverse culture and identity of India. The organization’s commitment to independence, professionalism, and innovation has helped to elevate the standards of Indian broadcasting and made it a vital part of the country’s cultural and social fabric.
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